Russian defence chief, Assad coordinate on 'anti-terrorist fight'

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu met in Damascus on Saturday with President Bashar al-Assad to discuss anti-terrorist “cooperation” in Syria’s conflict, a bone of contention between Moscow and Washington. Shoigu, the highest ranking Russian official to travel to Syria since the conflict erupted five years ago, was sent by President Vladimir Putin for the surprise meeting with Moscow’s long-time ally Assad, the Syrian state news agency SANA said. “The talks focused on military cooperation between the two countries and joint action to fight against terrorist organisations on Syrian soil,” it said.